Monthly Archives: January 2018
Mother charged after toddler found in street
EASLEY — The mother of a toddler found walking on a street in Easley has been arrested.
Easley Police Capt. Jeremy Miller said in a news release Tuesday morning that Teaunna Antwonesse Gantt is charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and is being held without bond.
In a post to the Easley Police Department’s Facebook page, officers asked
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Officials join forces to fight meth problem
Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Elizabeth Chapman of Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County speaks at a news conference with Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark on Jan. 19.
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — Pickens County sheriff Rick Clark is serious about fighting the county’s methamphetamine problem.
But the sheriff acknowledges that undercover drug operations, such as the one that recently resulted in 37 charges against 13 people, is only one avenue.
“When we came into office more than five years ago, we told people we
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School district forgives 2 days missed for snow
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — The Pickens County School Board voted last week to forgive two inclement weather days from this month for both students and district employees.
The district closed Jan. 17-18 due to snow and freezing rain, marking the fourth and fifth days the district missed this year. A decision by the Oconee
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Crisis averted
No injuries reported after fire breaks out at detention center
PICKENS — Officials are thankful after a fire at the Pickens County Detention Center on Tuesday morning caused no injuries or major problems.
The fire broke out shortly before 9 a.m. in the laundry facility in the rear of the detention center.
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Creed Hashe said a jail trustee
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Merck gets extension, salary hike
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — A year and a half after approving a five-year contract extension for School District of Pickens County superintendent Danny 
Merck, the school board voted last week to add an additional year, along with a pay increase.
As a result, Merck, who was initially named superintendent in 2014 and received a five-year contract extension in July 2016, will see his latest extension run through 2022. Merck will also see his salary increase from $123,600 this year to $128,544.
School board chairman Brian Swords said the board felt strongly that Merck “has our district going in the right direction.”
“Dr. Merck’s approach to leadership has resulted in a very positive culture
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Second man sentenced in Easley killing
EASLEY — An Easley man identified as the gunman in a shooting that killed a teen at a local bowling alley in 2016 was sentenced Friday to 32 
years in prison.
Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins said Albert Lavern Taylor, 24, of Wallace Drive Apartments, pleaded guilty to murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Wilkins said Taylor is not eligible for parole and will have to serve the full sentence handed down by Circuit Judge Edward Miller.
During the plea hearing, evidence presented by assistant solicitor Baker Cleveland showed that on Feb. 17, 2016, Taylor, accompanied by two other
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Daniel principal given district job
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
CENTRAL — Daniel High School principal Josh Young has been named the School District of Pickens County’s new executive director of student 
services, effective July 1.
In the new role, Young will be responsible for safety, discipline intervention, attendance, expulsions, school choice and other administrative duties at the district level. He will succeed Tim Mullis, who is retiring as the district’s discipline interventionist.
“I am excited about my new position due to the variety of roles and responsibilities that it will have and the impact the role can have on the success of all schools and students in Pickens County,” said Young, also a former Walhalla High School principal. “Obviously, school safety, security, attendance and discipline will no doubt be of the utmost importance in the
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Guardian ad Litem needs volunteers
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — More volunteers, especially male volunteers, are needed to help Pickens County children.
The volunteers of the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem program serve as a voice for children in the legal system.
Pickens County coordinator Brigitte Stephens spoke earlier this month at the annual meeting of the Pickens County Legislative Delegation.
“Statewide, during fiscal year 2016-17, more than 2,100 Guardian ad Litem
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Baptist Easley, EHS baseball join forces for spring break tourney
EASLEY — Baptist Easley Hospital and the Easley High School baseball program announced a partnership recently to sponsor the 2018 Easley 
Green Wave Invitational baseball tournament.
The 2018 Easley Green Wave Invitational presented by Baptist Easley Hospital will be held April 3-7 at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex in Easley.
Fourteen teams from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio will be participating in the tournament. Some of the teams participating include Science Hill (Johnson City) and David Crockett (Jonesborough) from Tennessee, West Henderson
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Experts: Protect yourself from flu
COLUMBIA — Flu activity is continuing to increase in the Palmetto state, and while it’s unknown when the flu season activity will peak, DHEC is 
encouraging South Carolinians to protect themselves against the flu.
“The Influenza A strain continues to be the most frequently reported this season in South Carolina and nationally,” DHEC immunization medical consultant Dr.
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